§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will give the names of the Lords of Appeal; what salaries or expenses they receive; what are their average days or hours of sitting; and whether they are permitted to earn and receive payments from newspapers, political parties and other sources in addition to these legal fees.
274W
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere are nine Lords of Appeal in Ordinary:
- Right Honourable Lord Wilberforce, CMG, OBE.
- Right Honourable Lord Diplock.
- Right Honourable Viscount Dilhorne.
- Right Honourable Lord Simon of Glaisdale.
- Right Honourable Lord Kilbrandon.
- Right Honourable Lord Salmon.
- Right Honourable Lord Edmund-Davies.
- Right Honourable Lord Fraser of Tullybelton.
- Right Honourable Lord Russell of Killowen.
Their salary is £21,175, gross.
During the law terms they usually sit on Mondays to Thursdays inclusive, either in the House of Lords or in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. On Mondays they sit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on the other days from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. On occasions, for various reasons, such as a case lasting a shorter time than anticipated, an interval occurs between the ending of one appeal and the commencement of another. This is inevitable, since, to suit the convenience of the parties, dates are fixed for the hearing of appeals.
Before they hear an appeal the Law Lords study the papers in the case, which are frequently lengthy. After the hearing, they have to consult and to write their opinions. This can take a considerable time, as they usually want to study again the relevant legal authorities. The hearing of the next appeal is not postponed to enable them to write their opinions in the appeal which has been concluded. Their actual hours of sitting do not indicate the hours of work done by Lords of Appeal in the discharge of their judicial duties. Moreover, they often serve on Royal Commissions and on governmental or House of Lords Committees.
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary do not draw an attendance allowance for attending the House of Lords, but they are entitled to claim travelling expenses for travel between their homes out of London and the House of Lords.
They do not engage in any political activties nor do they obtain any payments from political parties. It is for 275W them to decide whether or not to engage in any other activities in addition to their judicial work and whether or not to receive payment therefor.